Buying Guides

ultimate kitchen accessories

Buying Guides

ultimate kitchen accessories

I spend
a lot of time in my kitchen. Whether it's recipe testing, browsing through a new cookbook or organizing my ever-growing collection of bowls, plates and napkins, I always find a comforting aura to this part of my home. I often get asked what kitchen accessories I couldn't live without. For me, it’s often the small things that make cooking a smooth and fun process. I’ve compiled some of my favourites -- all inexpensive items that make cooking and baking as easy as pie.
1 Stainless steel knife rack This is really the most efficient way to store knives. In a minute, knives are safely put away and readily accessible.
2 Kuhn knives Paring knifes are one of the most useful tools to perform small tasks in the kitchen. I love the range of colours Kuhn offers. They are also made with a carbon steel blade which helps keep them sharp.
3 Apple tea towel The designs at Ferm Living are absolutely stunning. I love their organic cotton kitchen towels -- they have the perfect pop of colour for any kitchen space.
4 Silicone tongs Most chefs do not use tongs in professional kitchens but I find them to be one of the most useful tools in a home kitchen. The silicone ensures you won’t scratch the surface of your pans.
5 Garlic press This incredibly inexpensive tool is ideal for mincing garlic in seconds.
6 Mixing bowls I use mixing bowls for seasonings, marinades and garnishes. I love these bowls from Anthropologie. Stacked on a shelf in different colours, they are beautifully functional.
7 Silicone baking mat This silicone mat does not need to be greased and is completely non-stick. It’s perfect for making any type of cookie and replaces parchment paper.
8 Microplane This is my absolute favourite! You can use it to grate zests, chocolate and parmesan cheese.
9 White silicone cookie spatula This silicone spatula is slanted to make it easy to move cookies from a baking mat to a cooling rack. It’s also a practical tool for other tasks in the kitchen.
Jennifer Bartoli is a Montreal-based food writer, photographer and recipe developer who grew up in Paris. Her longstanding passion for food took her to New York City, where she studied at the French Culinary Institute. For more delicious recipes and more, check out Jennifer’s blog, Chocolate Shavings.